Gadget Canes and Walking Sticks - The History and Evolution of Walking Sticks

Learn about the use of walking sticks throughout history. From Ancient times as a weapon to modern times as a symbol of aristocracy, fashion, and utilitarian device.
Gadgets Sticks and Canes were invented to be multipurpose, disguising a myriad of devices within the stick. Anything from weapons, musical instruments, to alcohol, perfume and vanity items was patented.
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[@flingmonkey5494]

I read, many years ago, of a cane used on America's first Frigates by some officers. It was a 3-piece cane that could be unscrewed into three shorter sticks for easier storage on the cramped ship. Under the top of the handle, which screwed off, was a sundial, and if you screwed off the whole head of the cane there was a good-sized vial with a cork that could hold some liquor. I made a trip to Boston many years ago and we went to see the USS Constitution, on display there. In the gift shop was an exact copy of the cane I have just described, and it was beautiful. My wife bought it for me as a gift, and it rests behind me in the corner as I type this (the brass needs polishing.) It is called a "tippler cane" as I recall. I am very happy to possess it. :)

[@perfumepassage]

Very cool!!!

[@Lucius1958]

I have a nice, early 19th century sword cane: bamboo shaft, staghorn knob, silver fittings, eyelets for a thong, and a triangular blade with partial bluing and gilding. I also have a type of defensive cane not mentioned here: a "penang-lawyer", with a rattan shaft, and a lead ball for a knob, covered with knotwork. There's also the "shooting stick", or "rest stick": one can unfold the the handle to provide a sort of seat, upon which one can support oneself in the field, etc.

[@mariamedolley9877]

😊😊

[@stocktonjoans]

I've got a lovely wood and brass tipple cane, it also breaks down into 3 sections, they're such beautiful objects

[@perfumepassage]

Sounds lovely. These are beautiful and very ingenious masterpieces.

[@Traderjoe]

I have something that I bought off eBay that someone made that should definitely be in this collection. It’s all hand made from a bunch of different parts by someone who must have been an eccentric engineer with a lot of time on his hands. I should make a video about it

[@perfumepassage]

Would love to see what gadget is incorporated.

[@salli8324]

@traderjoes please do make a video about it and let us know when you've uploaded it. i was just looking at some lemon balm seeds to get them planted, then i had a thought pop into mind...i wonder if down thru time if anyone had ever used the hollow of a walking cane or stick to store a reserve of seed(s). since they say there is nothing new under the sun i suppose they probably have. be well & thrive, ©¿~salli

[@mackenziemoses6689]

Do tell, come on don't gatekeep

[@godrilla5549]

Someone should start a petition for this guy to make a video.

[@Heywoodthepeckerwood]

Made of different parts huh? Very descriptive.

[@Sowilo-Dagaz]

I have many canes, but only one of them is a gadget cane as it has a small watch built into the handle. Good vid

[@perfumepassage]

Thank you so much for your comment. Gadget canes are awesome. I am glad you have one in your collection. Watches / clocks were common gadgets for canes and sticks as folks back then did not wear wrist watches.

[@VTPSTTU]

I wish sword canes were legal throughout the United States. They would be a nice form of protection.

[@iainclark1599]

Open carry swords in the USA ?, cant see why not .

[@VTPSTTU]

@@iainclark1599 We'll never carry real swords again because they would be so inconvenient. A sword strapped to one's belt isn't going to fit with driving or riding in a car. Carrying the scabbard without strapping it to a belt is likewise going to be inconvenient. Most swords don't hold weight in a way that will make them comfortable walking sticks or canes. A sword cane would be a different story. While the blade would not be as effective as a real sword blade would be, a good point and a little bit of edge would have a deterrent effect against many street thugs. While the street thugs might begin to carry them, I don't see street thugs wanting anything that will weigh them down that much. The thugs are already carrying bladed weapons most of the time, so the risk of street thugs with blades doesn't change.

[@la_old_salt2241]

They are in many places.

[@TheRoland19111]

Just use an ar 15 as a walking cane

[@VTPSTTU]

@@TheRoland19111 LOL I like having a rubber foot at the bottom of my cane for additional grip and stability. I don't want to fire through a rubber foot or take the time to remove a rubber foot from the flash suppressor. A cane hook stock on an AR-15 would look funny but might work well enough.

[@ianmelonie6440]

I have a nice selection including a silver top Victorian ,animal top , a brass top and a sword stick

[@perfumepassage]

Sword sticks are awesome. My favorite, which I don't have, is the violin.

[@MichaelMcQuown-m6p]

I found one in NYC for my first wife; no hidden compartment, but it was made from a narwhal horn.

[@1911Earthling]

I have a crook handle sterling silver and ebony cane. The substantial handle is cast polished Sterling silver with intricate squash blossom design. The shaft is straight strong dark blond and Black polished ebony wood. Payed $375 twenty years ago. Very strong and substantial. Was made to order.

[@perfumepassage]

Sounds lovely.

[@stevenedwards4470]

Nice collection. Very eclectic.

[@perfumepassage]

Thank you. We keep adding pieces that fall within our museum's mission of perfume and vanity related items.

[@CoreyMason-r8g]

Wow ❗😀 very interesting episode 🔥💯🏆👍

[@musicurio]

What a shame you omitted the walking stick air gun or "air cane" Such interesting items as you can read in books on antiques of this type.

[@perfumepassage]

Thank you so much for your feedback. Our museum focused on perfume and vanity items and therefore our collection is centered around those type of gadget canes. We did show some of the other types in an attempt to demonstrate the broad variety of gadgetry that was incorporated into these.

[@steelman86]

My collection of “gadget” canes include: umbrella traveling cane with curved rams horn, gold band below with owners initials engraved plus a small button which releases the handle from the body allowing the center to be pulled up with tip and handle folded back on it ‘s self in order to fit diagonally into a suit case: another GERMAN umbrella cane with telescoping round case which collapse into each other down to the small size to fit into a vest pocket while using the umbrella; a “polo cane” where the leather wrapped oval handle splits open to sit on, there is a round aluminum disk attached near the top which pulls off and is put onto the bottom tip which also comes off to exchange places, the round disc then keeps the person sitting on the top opened handle from sinking into the soft turf and the bottom tip then acts as a little handle to help insert the pointed tip into the turf; my buggy whip cane is made from a percha (rubber) tree making it flexible, the ornamental cap on top unscrews revealing a threaded brass end which when pulled out is attached to a leather braided buggy horse whip. The brass cane tip, unscrews and is places where the whip previously was while the buggy whip brass tip is screwed onto the cane tip end; the liquor cane has a top know which unscrews and reveals a small cork inserted into a long glass vile where liquor is hidden; a cobra swird cane with a brass cobra head which has a small 15” metal blade attached. Non “gadget canes/parasols include a “bone” cane with sterling engraved owners cylinder, made of 12 bamboo carved like pieces fastened together with a long threaded rod holding them all together; a LAS VEGAS die umbrella with with round curved handle, below a large red and large black die, the umbrella has die and card symbols on it when opened up; ladies umbrella with tapered orangish colored bakelite square handle embossed with flowers; last but not least is a ladies FRENCH RED SILK parasol with natural bamboo HANDLE and attached round porcelain hand painted knob featuring a Raphaels Angel embelishd with raised gold accents surrounding the angel and made at the Sevres factory in France.....several others like a carved/painted Santa cane etc. not worth mentioning...

[@perfumepassage]

Thank you for sharing. These sound amazing. I am always amazed at seeing the creativeness of these gadget canes.

[@steelman86]

@@perfumepassage ....Almost all of my collection belonged to the founder of our town after moving here to California from Missouri. I also have a few “non gadget” parasols and ladies umbrellas with my moderate sized collection. One has a lovely sterling bird body handle and another from my English Great aunt with bamboo handle, blue satin cloth embroidered with flowers which I believe are Cherry Blossoms. Fun stuff!!

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

​@@perfumepassage That's the right side of the pear that they want hi light as a horizontal shadow sand timer to cover the right milk in the dark 😂

[@jaygraham4095]

My dad has a gadget cane with a brass ruler that measures in hands fore measuring horses.

[@perfumepassage]

Thank you for sharing this bit of info. I just learned something new - how horses are measured!

[@brassmoth7463]

3:20 License to carry a walking stick... damn England, why are you like this?

[@perfumepassage]

This was one of the highlights I found while doing the research. Who knew?

[@charliebowen5071]

We are civilised over here in England... when things become predominantly weapons they have no use in productive society.. the problem with America etc is you are still in the dark ages when it comes to weapons. The military need arms.. the people do not! It’s not 1750 anymore.. the ease of access is the reason for your ridiculous gun problems etc

[@akimbofurry2179]

@@charliebowen5071 did you guys not have a king that was found of beheading? Also what was that, what happened to the jews?

[@davidmoore657]

If you can't/ won't defend yourself, who will!! Live free or die!!!

[@leemcgann6470]

I have several canes... one a guess is “”gadget”” it is also a pool cue. A crappy one but...

[@Капрышка]

Это прекрасные трости и как помощь при ходьбе и как произведение мастеров их сделавших .

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

I get your point

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

They put a double point on a ice lolly stick on a bone to cover the left milk nipple 😂 @ 2

[@StainlessIdea]

i want all of them.

[@michaelcase8574]

I have a field walking stick that opens into a seat for long walks. Metal and leather.

[@perfumepassage]

I love the fact they are multipurpose items with a concealed second purpose. I’m putting together a part two of the gadget sticks to incorporate some of the current ones we’ve acquired. Stay tuned.

[@godrilla5549]

I'm gonna start carrying me a cane.

[@john_marston1888]

I'm not even old or crippled I just think they're cool lmao

[@godrilla5549]

@@john_marston1888 i have 2 now lmao

[@kirbywaite1586]

Do you know where I might find a buyer? I possess a beautiful walking stick that belonged to the famous Mexican painter Diego Rivera. It is highly carved with the snake and eagle as well as his initials.

[@bozzskaggs112]

2:07. Bean!

[@LuxisAlukard]

Interesting!

[@SedDelMar]

I saw in a book on swords an Irish stick which had a large sword blade that was flicked out of the top, with the stick serving as the handle. I can’t remember the name of the item. Can anyone identify the piece?

[@NormalPerson1234-vx1os]

I think ist the shilleligah

[@NormalPerson1234-vx1os]

Sorry if ive spelt it wrong

[@Scotland2306]

A licence for a cane in London is so English. 🤣 I hope I’m not breaking any by laws by using an unlicensed cane in Scotland.

[@timhuffman5311]

Would you please tell me who the narrator is ?

[@perfumepassage]

The narrator is Zach Frame of www.c-2productions.com

[@motovlogyucekaya7690]

👍👍

[@perfumepassage]

Thank you

[@RafiqKhan-sz3kh]

Stick human need like old peaple

[@michelleslutpuppy4355]

Some also had asword in them

[@Shitballs69420]

What was with that 'bull in a china shop" beating the hell out of those antiques!? Jeepers, Ill be surprised if they make it another 50+ years